Embakasi East MP Babu Owino ejected from National Assembly Chambers for dressing in lawyers attire. Photo: babu Owino X
Full of drama, after a few days of being admitted to the bar, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino turned up in the National Assembly afternoon sitting dressed in lawyers robe.
Babu had arrived from Milimani High Court, where he appeared before Justice Chacha Mwita to make an application for Habeas Corpus of Ndiangui Kinyagia who was abducted by the DCI, before heading to the National Assembly.
The issue was raised by Mathare MP Anthony Olouch, who lamented about Owino’s attire which was not official, as earlier directed by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
“Honourable Speaker, you have several issued rulings about the manner in which people must dress themselves. Those rules form part of the tradition of this House,” Oluoch stated.
Oluoch argued that the attire by Embakasi East Lawmaker could mislead the members, as it was close to Wetang’ula’s official Speaker’s gown.
“Is it in order that the Member for Embakasi East walks and sits into the House dressed as if he were the Speaker, save for your gown? This Honourable member may have been admitted the other day, but that dressing code may cause confusion,” he explained.
In his ruling after Oluoch sort his guidance, Wetang’ula agreed with him, directing Owino to exist the chamber and dress properly. He further warned him that his seniors in the house including Millie Odhiambo, Otieno Kajwang’ and Otieno Omollo had been admitted to the bar, but never showed up in their attire.
“Even your very seniors, the likes of Millie Odhiambo, Senior Counsel Otiende Amollo, Otieno Kajwang’, the ‘Chief Justice’ in quotes, Gladys Shollei, have never turned up dressed like that. I order you to retreat from the House, dress up, and come back,” Wetang’ula ruled.
Owino known for speaking back walked out of the chamber without responding, as Olouch and Wetang’ula deliberated on his issue.
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